New county leader’s goals: More jobs, retail, young workers

By Jessica Pickens

Published: Monday, October 14, 2013 at 12:21 PM.

Jeff Richardson says he’s ready to dive into leading Cleveland County to more jobs, new retail and industry and plans to handle the community’s aging workforce. After moving away from the county more than 15 years ago, Richardson recently returned and took the reins as Cleveland County manager. Richardson replaces former county manager Eddie Bailes, who left the position in April. Former county manager David Dear served as the interim county manager until Richardson was hired. Richardson’s first day as county manager was Sept. 30. As he learns the ropes, he recently discussed some of his goals with The Star:

What are you working on your first few weeks as county manager? Right out of the gate, I’m trying to familiarize myself with things important to the county commissioners. I’m going out into the community and trying to spend time outside the community to meet people. I’m meeting with department heads who will tell me their key challenges and build a knowledge base of how everything is run.

What is it like returning to Cleveland County after 17 years? I worked here from 1991 to 1997 and I’m seeing people I knew from living here before. It’s very exciting to get reacquainted.

What are some of your goals for the county? I want to bring more jobs and expand our tax base. I want to the county to continue to be highly competitive while looking for high paying jobs. It takes a true partnership to catch the attention of companies. We have that partnership with the Chamber, the community college and the partnership between the municipalities. I want us to build retail along with new industry so we can grow our job base. Internally, I’ve been impressed with what appears to be a highly qualified workforce.

How will we help handle the aging community? I want our county to start planning for retirement and start looking where the talents are. Across North Carolina, our workforce is aging and retiring. As people leave and retire, do we have the people to step up and take their jobs? I want the younger people who will replace that workforce to be prepared and continue to provide services to our cities.

What are the biggest changes you have noticed in the county? When I left in 1997, we had a solid industry base with a lot of employers who had been here for decades. After I left, several of the large employers started cutting back or closed, which was typical all over the state. Over the past several years, the county has been trying to rebuild the tax base that they lost.

What is your biggest challenge as county manager? The challenge right now is trying to identify the needs, prioritize and see what resources we have so we can work on the goals

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Jeff Richardson says he’s ready to dive into leading Cleveland County to more jobs, new retail and industry and plans to handle the community’s aging workforce.
After moving away from the county more than 15 years ago, Richardson recently returned and took the reins as Cleveland County manager.
Richardson replaces former county manager Eddie Bailes, who left the position in April. Former county manager David Dear served as the interim county manager until Richardson was hired.
Richardson’s first day as county manager was Sept. 30.
As he learns the ropes, he recently discussed some of his goals with The Star:

What are you working on your first few weeks as county manager?
Right out of the gate, I’m trying to familiarize myself with things important to the county commissioners. I’m going out into the community and trying to spend time outside the community to meet people.
I’m meeting with department heads who will tell me their key challenges and build a knowledge base of how everything is run.

What is it like returning to Cleveland County after 17 years?
I worked here from 1991 to 1997 and I’m seeing people I knew from living here before. It’s very exciting to get reacquainted.

What are some of your goals for the county?
I want to bring more jobs and expand our tax base. I want to the county to continue to be highly competitive while looking for high paying jobs. It takes a true partnership to catch the attention of companies. We have that partnership with the Chamber, the community college and the partnership between the municipalities.
I want us to build retail along with new industry so we can grow our job base.
Internally, I’ve been impressed with what appears to be a highly qualified workforce.

How will we help handle the aging community?
I want our county to start planning for retirement and start looking where the talents are. Across North Carolina, our workforce is aging and retiring. As people leave and retire, do we have the people to step up and take their jobs? I want the younger people who will replace that workforce to be prepared and continue to provide services to our cities.

What are the biggest changes you have noticed in the county?
When I left in 1997, we had a solid industry base with a lot of employers who had been here for decades. After I left, several of the large employers started cutting back or closed, which was typical all over the state. Over the past several years, the county has been trying to rebuild the tax base that they lost.

What is your biggest challenge as county manager?
The challenge right now is trying to identify the needs, prioritize and see what resources we have so we can work on the goals